Victor's Accomplice
Chapter 08 - Victor's Accomplice
Sarah's investigation, expanding steadily over the following weeks, identified the source of the tool sound both men had heard just before Victor's failed answer that first terrible morning, a site foreman named Gary Finch, who had worked directly under Victor for over a decade.
"We found equipment matching the sabotage tools in Gary's truck," Sarah told Nathan, presenting the search warrant's results. "Combined with financial records showing a payment from Victor's personal account three days before the incident, we believe Gary assisted directly in preparing the scaffold for failure."
Gary, confronted with the evidence, agreed to cooperate in exchange for reduced charges, providing a formal statement that filled in the remaining gaps in Victor's plan.
"He told me it was about a labor dispute," Gary said, during his recorded interview with Sarah. "Said Nathan was planning to organize the crew, file complaints that would cost the company considerably. I believed him at the time. I understand now that was never the real reason."
"Did he tell you the actual reason," Sarah asked.
"Not until after it failed," Gary admitted. "Once he realized the wrong man had ended up on that platform, he was frantic, considerably more upset than a simple labor dispute would explain. That's when he told me the truth, that Nathan was his brother, and that some inheritance clause meant everything he'd built could transfer away from him entirely if the truth ever came out formally."
"Did he ask you to try again," Sarah pressed.
Gary hesitated, clearly weighing the weight of what he was about to admit. "He mentioned it. I told him I wasn't willing to go further than what already happened. I think that's part of why he's been so erratic since, understanding I might not be a reliable partner for whatever he still intends to do."
Sarah relayed this information to Nathan immediately, urgency clear in her voice. "I want protective measures in place for you immediately. If Victor's still considering further action, and Gary's refusal has left him without his previous accomplice, he may be desperate enough to act more directly himself."
Nathan felt a fresh wave of fear settle over him, understanding that the danger hadn't ended with that first failed attempt, but had simply evolved into something less predictable, a cornered man with considerable resources and, apparently, no remaining scruples about how far he might go.
"What do you recommend," Nathan asked.
May you like
"Temporary relocation, away from your usual routines," Sarah said. "And I want to accelerate the timeline for formal charges as much as possible, given this new information about his continued intent."
Nathan agreed, packing a bag that same evening, understanding that his ordinary life, the small apartment, the familiar construction site, the routines he'd built over eight unknowing months working for his own brother, had all become considerably more dangerous than he'd ever imagined possible three weeks earlier.
